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Hi,

I don't own a Civic, but I'm hoping you guys can give me a hand. I'm trying to do some research for my gf's brother. He just bought a new Civic (2013/14?) and the OEM tire size is 195/65/15. He has two sets of snow tires:

1) 205/65/15 (on steel wheels) - He ran these on his older (2007?) Civic, because that is what the tire shop had at the time (he's not a car guy). He said that they rubbed pretty bad over bumps and he lost a bunch of the fender clips. This is surprising as the calculator says they are only a .71% difference in circumference and the diameter is only ~1/2" larger. Perhaps the older Civics had smaller OEM tires?

2) 195/60/15 - He also has this set from his fiancée. In looking at the calculator it states the circumference is -2.38% difference (within the accepted 3%. And since the tire is smaller I assume there would be no rubbing issues. The only concern is if they will fit on his OEM wheels.

Can anyone tell me if there is an issue using either of these sizes?

Thanks!

 
Rep Power: 517

(14 Civics haven't been released yet in North America)

The 195-60 will fit no sweat, but be a wee bit short-- you already know that.

If the 205's are still on the rims, bolt those suckers on and see if there is any rub! If they rub, THEN you switch over to the other tire set.
(I have 18x8 rims from a 12 Accord V6 Coupe, with 225-40-18 on my 12 Civic LX, no rub)

Compare:
Stock sizes for 07
195/65R15 (DX)
205/55R16 (LX, EX)
215/45R17 (Si)

HTH

 
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Ezone, thanks for the info. I'm wondering why he got rubbing with the 205s. Could it be old shocks (he had 150k on the last civic)?

 
Rep Power: 517

The 205-65 made it a taller tire than original.

Maybe the car was lowered.
Maybe wheel offset was different, are those wheels stock?

I really don't have anything about possible differences of the offset specs from each of the cars though......maybe consult tirerack.com for original wheel specs on both cars

IDK *shrug*

 
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Thanks again. The steel wheels are I think whatever the tire shop had in stock at the time so it's quite possible the offset was different. What threw me is the diameter of the tires isn't all that different. I'll give him your advice but it looks like the best bet may be to put the 195's on the steel wheels as he doesn't want to ruin his new Civic. The tough thing about seeing if they "fit" is they often don't rub until you have certain conditions (with him it was bumps on the highway).

The other portion of the formula is his he is looking to see which of these will fit on his fiancée's Hyundai Elantra which has 16" wheels. I'm not sure if a 15" rim will clear the calipers and I've never been a huge fan of downsizing. I'll see him on Thanksgiving and talk some more.

I tell you though, you guys are lucky with the cost of smaller tires. I just bought new 18"s AT/Snow tires for my truck and spent $1300!

Thanks again for your assistance!

 
Rep Power: 517

You could measure the backspacing/offset of a steel wheel he has, then compare those measurements to a factory wheel.

Steel wheel for an 07 DX was 15x6 J, and I'm guessing CMC/CLA would be the name stamped on it.
LX got a 16x 6 1/2 J, name TOPY


I can't tell you anything about the Hyundai. Sounds like a "try it and see" thing again to me.

That was one good thing when I got my 12 LX, it came with 15" steelies and I thought the same thing....

for a little while.......

But....a short while later on....
My 18s weren't cheap either. Michelins.





/gratuitous attention whoring pics LOL

 
Rep Power: 366

actually, 0.6" in radius, not diameter. depending on how the design *might* have changed between the 07 and 13 models, the fender liners *could* be closer than previous generations. or shock valving/spring rates different (not sure, I own a 7th gen).
that 0.6" could make the tire too close depending on car.